We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. One of the simplest ways to do this is by identifying energy inefficiencies in your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or installing a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC system, contributing to a more energy-efficient home and more affordable monthly energy bills.
Read on to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust it manually, think about taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes a number of features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The function homeowners like the most is being able to access their smart thermostats from anywhere they want by using their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, in situations where you forget to adjust your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can easily take out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to schedule your home’s temperature determined by the time of day and day of the week so you’re not spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They even provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make changes to save money.
If you’re wanting to know how to get a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
Regrettably, lots of homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem like a problem, a lack of maintenance will sometimes produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician is going to inspect your HVAC system, clean important components, and catch minor issues before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This could also reduce your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups annually – once in the spring before summer and one in the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Replacing Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like every appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more efficient than units produced just over 10 years ago. Luckily, local HVAC companies like Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning can perform professional services such as furnace installation in Yukon.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If your systems are within that period of time, it can be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to prevent premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is around 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace the unit. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. For the most part, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment satisfies strict guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems around, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to measure the efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Comfort Concepts Heating & Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Yukon.
4. Look for Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When you’re looking for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Certain air filters are far more efficient than others, leading to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The efficiency of HVAC air filters is rated by their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating. The MERV scale ranges between 1-20; the higher the number, the more efficient the filters are. It’s worthwhile to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can actually restrict airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s beneficial to read the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the right one for your system.
